Danteshwari Temple, Jagdalpur Overview

As the name suggests, this is a temple dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, the deity of earlier Kakatiya rulers, also known as an incarnation of Shakti. Built in the 14th century, the temple was constructed in a typical South Indian style architecture. Chiselled out of black stone, the idol of the Goddess is supposed to possess divine powers. Every year during Dusshera, all the tribals and locals from surrounding towns and villages come to this temple to pay respect to the Goddess. Situated in the middle of a spacious courtyard with beautiful pillars, the temple has four parts that a visitor can explore. An important spiritual centre, the temple is known to represent the cultural and religious beliefs and history of the Bastar region. Every year during Dusshera several people gather in the Temple to offer homage to the idol of the goddess. The temple has a great architecture and sculptural wealth, making it one of the best spiritual centres in the state of Chhattisgarh. Devotees from different parts of the country visit here to imbibe the blessings of goddess Danteshwari.

History of Danteshwari Temple

The Danteshwari Temple is a 600-year-old temple and has been a witness to the rich history of India. The temple was built by the Chalukyas in the south, during the 14th Century in the Bastar region. According to the legends, Goddess Sati committed self-immolation in the fire pit of yagna kund as a result of being insulted by her father, Daksha. Lord Shiva, raged by her death, destroyed the Yaga of Daksha, after which Lord Vishnu had to cut the body of Sati and scatter it across fifty-two different places in India. It is considered as one of the fifty-two Shakti Peethas of Sati, the divine feminine, spread by Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the tooth of Sati fell during the episode when all these Shakti shrines were created. The temple has been a spiritual centre since the 14th century, and people visit the temple every year to get peace, enlightenment and satisfaction.

Construction of the Danteshwari Temple

The Danteshwari Temple was constructed during the 14th century by the Chalukyas. It has great architecture and cultural wealth. The temple stands in a spacious courtyard and is surrounded by huge walls. It is divided into four parts which include, the Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. The Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap are made of stone pieces. There is a Garuda pillar which is located at the entrance of the temple. The idol of Goddess Danteshwari is chiselled out of black stone. The beauty of the Shikhara is marked by the sculptural finery. Hence the architecture of the temple has greatly contributed to attract visitors and resemble the spirituality and history of the temple.

Places to Visit Nearby

The Danteshwari Temple is located in the outskirts of Jagdalpur, where many other well-known tourist destinations are located. These destinations include The Anthropology Museum, Moti Talab Para, The Kanger Valley National Park and also The Bastar Palace. These places are located close to the temple and have an excellent connection of roads between each other as well as the city of Jagdalpur.

Best Time to Visit Danteshwari Temple

The Danteshwari Temple is located very close to the city of Jagdalpur. The best time to visit the temple is during winters and late monsoons. The festivals of Dusshera and Navaratri, celebrated in September and October, are very well-known and a lot of tourists visit during this time of the year. Also, the weather remains cool and pleasant during this time of the year and the temperature ranges from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. During summers the weather is hot as well as humid, and the temperature ranges from 28 to 37 degrees Celsius. The monsoons here have very high precipitation making it difficult to visit the temple.

How to Reach Danteshwari Temple

The Danteshwari Temple is located just 80 kilometres away from the city of Jagdalpur. It has an excellent connection of roads, connecting it from nearby cities. One can reach there via road through private vehicles or public vehicles like buses and cabs. The nearest railway station is the Jagdalpur Railway Station which is half an hour away from the temple. The nearest airport is in Visakhapatnam which is about 400 kilometres away from the temple. The most convenient way to reach the temple is from Jagdalpur.

The Danteshwari Temple is a famous historical monument as well as a spiritual centre. The temple has reflected the history and mythology of the culture of Bastar. It also serves as an important tourist destination for the ones seeking peace and enlightenment. One can surely visit the temple to get a spiritual and an extraordinary experience.